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Sertraline tablet form is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor commonly prescribed in the UK under brand names such as Zoloft and Lustral. Most patients receive generic sertraline by prescription. It is a prescription-only medicine used for a variety of mood and anxiety disorders. For rules about lawful supply, online prescribing and importation, see Legal framework and guidance for purchasing. For a concise summary, jump to Upon first glance, or to compare costs see UK retail price norms.
At a single glance
- Dosing pattern: typically taken once a day at a regular time; your clinician will adjust dose to your needs.
- Drug class: SSRI - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
- Common strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets; an oral concentrate is available from some manufacturers.
- Major communication in actions between people can shape outcomes. to avoid: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and pimozide; discuss all medicines and supplements in dialog with your prescriber.
- Related pages on this site: Fortes and forms, Sertraline for anxiety intake: how to take turns it personally, Potential pharmacodynamic drug engagement and communication considerations, Price levels in the UK.
Main active ingredient
The active substance is sertraline hydrochloride, the hydrochloride salt of sertraline used in tablet and liquid forms.
Licensed signs that indicate in the UK
Clinicians in the UK commonly prescribe sertraline for the following conditions when clinically appropriate:
- Major depressive disorder is a depressive disorder, including relapse prevention.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder in clinical terms, known as OCD.
- The PTSD condition, also called PTSD.
- Panic disorder, with recurrent panic attacks.
- Social context fear disorder (social phobia).
Treatment choice and dose depend on the specific diagnosis, past response to treatments, concomitant medications and tolerability. See Nonmainstream medicine keep in mind other options.
Forms and dosages available
Sertraline is most often supplied as film-coated tablets in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg strengths in the UK. A liquid oral concentrate is also produced by some brands and must be diluted according to the leaflet before administration.
If you have swallowing difficulties ask your pharmacist about available formulations and whether tablet splitting is appropriate for your brand and dose.
Sertraline the apparatus that enables it of action dosing and usage basics
- Take sertraline once daily, at approximately the same time each day. Food is not essential but taking the tablet after food may reduce nausea.
- Swallow tablets whole unless the product leaflet or prescriber advises splitting a scored tablet.
- If using the concentrate, dilute and administer exactly as instructed on the packaging and use immediately after dilution.
- Do not stop suddenly without medical advice; a gradual taper is commonly used to reduce discontinuation effects.
- Timing can be adjusted: some people prefer morning dosing to avoid insomnia, others take it at night if it causes drowsiness.
In case of a failure to take a dose, consult the labeling. What to do if a dose is skipped.
Precautionary advisories and safety measures
- Allergy history: tell your clinician if you have reacted previously to sertraline or other SSRIs.
- Mood changes: new or worsening anxiety, agitation, impulsivity or suicidal thoughts may occur, particularly early in treatment and in younger adults. Seek urgent help if these appear.
- Bipolar disorder screening: antidepressants can trigger mania or hypomania in people with undiagnosed bipolar disorder.
- Bleeding risk: combining sertraline with NSAIDs, aspirin, anticoagulants or antiplatelets increases bleeding risk.
- Hyponatraemia: low sodium levels are possible, especially in older adults and those on diuretics; symptoms include confusion, pressure in my head and weakness.
- Eye risks: in susceptible individuals sertraline can precipitate angle closure glaucoma; sudden eye pain or vision changes need urgent review.
- Pregnancy and lactation care: use only when benefits justify risks. Late pregnancy exposure may cause neonatal adaptation symptoms; sertraline passes into breast milk in small amounts.
- Driving and machinery: do not drive or operate machinery if you feel dizzy, drowsy or otherwise impaired.
- Liver and kidney disease: dose adjustments or closer tracking and monitoring of performance may be recommended for people with significant organ impairment.
For medicines that increase the risk of serotonin syndrome or bleeding, see Potential drug danger from interacting as a shared activity.
Who should refrain from using sertraline
- People with known hypersensitivity to sertraline or any ingredient in the product.
- Concurrent use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) including linezolid and intravenous methylene blue is contraindicated; allow at least 14 days between stopping an MAOI and starting sertraline, and vice versa.
- Do not fuse these together. sertraline with pimozide.
- The oral concentrate contains alcohol; it must not be used in patients with disulfiram sensitivity.
Possible negative effects
Many people tolerate sertraline well, but knock-on effects can occur, often early in treatment or after dose changes.
- Common consequences: nausea, diarrhoea, dry mouth, pressure in my head, sweating, tremor, dizziness, drowsiness or trouble sleeping, reduced appetite and sexual dysfunction.
- Less typical: blurred vision, palpitations, increased anxiety, agitation or skin rashes.
- Serious signs (urgent medical attention required): symptoms of serotonin syndrome (fever, confusion, muscle stiffness, rapid heartbeat), seizures, severe allergic reactions, significant bleeding or severe hyponatraemia causing fainting or acute confusion.
Report suspected adverse reactions to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme and discuss concerns with your prescriber or pharmacist.
Watch for medication-drug engagement and communication checks paired with their effects
Give your prescriber and pharmacist a full list of all prescription medicines, over the counter products, herbal remedies and supplements. Key intercommunication groups include:
- MAO inhibitors (contraindicated): isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide, linezolid and similar agents.
- Other serotonergic drugs: SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine), triptans, tramadol, lithium, St John's wort and tryptophan. Combined use increases serotonin syndrome risk.
- QT prolonging agents and some antiarrhythmics: examples include quinidine; use caution and monitor where appropriate.
- Certain antipsychotics: pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interacting as a shared activitys with others are the core of collaboration. can occur with drugs such as haloperidol.
- Enzyme modulators: drugs like cimetidine may raise sertraline plasma levels.
- Anticoagulants and antiplatelets: warfarin, DOACs, aspirin and clopidogrel may have increased bleeding risk when used with sertraline.
If you are unsure about a combination, consult your pharmacist or prescriber and review it General safety cautions and warning signals.
What to do when you miss a dose
If you forget to take a single dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose. When the next dose is near, skip the i skipped the dose and carry on with your usual timetable. Do not take two pills at once to make up for a i skipped the dose.
Overdose situation information sheet for patients
In the event of suspected overdose death seek urgent medical help or call emergency services. Signs may include severe nausea, vomiting, irregular or fast heartbeat, fainting, severe dizziness, tremor, agitation and drowsiness.
Store medicines safely to reduce accidental ingestion risk; see Storage device and handling tips.
Advice on securing storage ensures that valuables stay safe.
- Keep tablets in their original container or blister pack at 20 to 25 C (68 to 77 F). Protect from moisture and excessive heat.
- Avoid storing medicines in bathrooms. Make sure children and pets cannot see or reach this.
Ask a pharmacist about safe disposal of unwanted or expired medicines. For legal obligations and safe handling see Juridical status and tips for making a purchase.
Medications that resemble and offer other selections
If sertraline is not suitable or not tolerated, clinicians may offer a substitute choice antidepressants depending on the condition and patient history. Options include:
- Other than the ones listed, SSRIs include fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, and paroxetine.
- Venlafaxine and duloxetine are two SNRIs.
- Other agents: mirtazapine, vortioxetine, agomelatine (specialist initiation) and, where licensed or appropriate, bupropion (note bupropion has limited licensing for depression in the UK).
- Condition specific choices: clomipramine for OCD in some cases and psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders.
Effectiveness within the SSRI class is broadly similar for many patients but side effect profiles, the give and take of interaction associated risks and individual response differ. Costs also vary; basic comparisons are in Typical fixed pricing levels in the United Kingdom.
Average price points in the UK - rough guide
Prices vary with pharmacy, brand, pack size and whether the prescription is dispensed via the NHS. Indicative costs in GBP:
- NHS prescriptions: in England most adults pay the standard per-item charge (approximately 9.gBP 90 payable In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland eligible patients generally do not pay prescription charges.
- Private prescriptions: a 28 to 30 tablet pack of generic sertraline is often priced between 2 GBP and 15 GBP for the medicine itself; dispensing and consultation fees will add to the total. Branded products generally cost more.
- Online providers: additional clinical assessment and delivery fees are common. Use only UK-registered pharmacies; see Lawful status a quick outline and buying tips for safety checks.
Comparative costs: fluoxetine and citalopram are frequently priced similarly to sertraline on private prescriptions, while escitalopram and vortioxetine often cost more. Always consider tolerability and clinical suitability alongside price.
Legal position and practical buying guidance in the UK
- Classification: sertraline is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and is not a controlled drug. A valid prescription from an authorised prescriber is required for lawful supply.
- Prescription validity: in Great Britain most POM prescriptions remain valid for up to six months from the appropriate date; controlled drug rules do not apply to sertraline.
- Where to obtain: community pharmacies and registered online chemist shops. Please check the logs General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) register and look for MHRA distance-selling compliance when using online services.
- Remote prescribing: UK prescribers must be appropriately registered and perform a structured assessment before prescribing; reputable online clinics will follow these standards.
- Importing medicines: ordering prescription medicines from overseas without a UK prescription can be unsafe and may result in seizure by Border Force or action by the MHRA. Avoid unregulated international sellers.
- Identity checks: legitimate online services perform ID and medical history checks prior to supply.
- Storage media and sharing: store prescriptions securely and never share prescribed medicines. Report suspected secondary consequences via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Notice the referenced material the a storage facility serves as a repository for goods awaiting use. guidelines for guidance on a storage facility serves as a repository for goods awaiting use.. Physical keep your items in secure storage until you need them. efficiency tips and for potential interpersonal dialogue and exchange risks review Pharmacologic social the exchange between peoples influence perceptions and decisions..
Aftercare vigilant monitoring and follow-up
- Early review: a clinical review is often arranged within 2 to 4 weeks after starting or changing the dose to check on benefit and follow-on effects.
- Ongoing surveillance of system activity: follow-up assesses mood, sleep, bleeding risk and any signs of hyponatraemia, especially in older adults or those on diuretics.
- Laboratory tests: sodium checks may be recommended for some patients, and other tests if clinically indicated.
- Stopping treatment: prescribers usually recommend a gradual taper to reduce the risk of discontinuation symptoms.
If you have concerns between scheduled appointments speak to your pharmacist or prescriber. For information about undesirable health effects see Unanticipated effects.
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